Saline County Court Records

Saline County sits in central Arkansas, with Benton as its county seat. The county falls within the 22nd Judicial Circuit and the 32nd District Court District, both of which serve Saline County exclusively. Four Circuit Court divisions, two District Court departments, and a County Clerk's probate division together handle the full range of criminal, civil, domestic relations, juvenile, and probate matters filed in the county each year. The Saline County Circuit Clerk's Office maintains all records generated by these proceedings — including pleadings, motions, docket sheets, orders, judgments, and transcripts — under Arkansas Code Annotated 16-20-102.

If you're searching for Arkansas court records, start with the clerk offices that hold the original case files, the public-access terminals inside the courthouse, or online databases hosted by the state judiciary. The Search ARCourts portal operated by the Arkansas Judiciary lets the public look up case information for courts using the statewide Contexte case management system. Additional resources — including court forms and filing-fee schedules — are available through ArkansasCourts.us. Local land and document records can also be searched through the Circuit Clerk's free AVA online portal or its subscription-based Laredo service.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Saline County?

How you search for a case depends on whether it was heard in Circuit Court or District Court, and whether you'd rather search online, visit in person, or send a written request.

Online searches. The statewide Search ARCourts portal lets you query by party name, case number, or attorney name. For land and recording documents specifically, the Circuit Clerk's free AVA tool lets you browse at no cost; printed images cost $0.25 per page plus a $1.00 credit-card processing fee per transaction. Title professionals who need frequent access can subscribe to the Laredo service for around-the-clock downloads.

In-person searches. All court records are available for public inspection at the Circuit Clerk's office in the Saline County Courthouse:

Saline County Circuit Clerk's Office
Address: 200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton, AR 72015
Phone: (501) 303-5615
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Public-access terminals are available on site, and staff can help you locate records by case number or party name.

Mail requests. Send written requests to the Circuit Clerk at the address above. Include the case number or the full names of the parties, the approximate date of the case, and the type of document you need. Enclose the applicable fees with your request.

Fees for copies and certification:

Copies: $0.25 per page
Certification: $5.00 per document
Name-based record search: $5.00 per search

Payment is accepted by cash, check, money order, or credit card (credit-card transactions carry an added processing fee).

Are Court Records Public in Saline County?

Court records in Saline County are presumptively open to the public. Two overlapping legal frameworks govern access: the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Arkansas Code Annotated 25-19-103 et seq., and Administrative Order No. 19 of the Arkansas Supreme Court, which specifically addresses court-record access.

Under FOIA, records created or maintained by a public entity in the course of its official duties are public records that any person may inspect or copy. Administrative Order No. 19 reinforces this principle for court documents, stating that all court records are public and available for inspection unless access is limited by statute or court order.

Categories of records with restricted access include:

Juvenile court proceedings and records (Arkansas Code 9-27-309), which the court must expunge upon the juvenile's twenty-first birthday in most circumstances
Adoption records, which are sealed and confidential under Arkansas Code 9-9-217 and may be opened only by court order for good cause
Records sealed or expunged by court order, including criminal records sealed pursuant to petition (no filing fee is charged for a petition to seal at the Saline County Circuit Clerk's Office)
Protected health information covered by HIPAA and state healthcare privacy laws
Certain personnel, investigative, and jury-selection records exempted under FOIA 25-19-105

When a record is partially restricted, the custodian may redact the confidential portions and release the rest. If you believe you've been improperly denied access, you may file a complaint with the Arkansas Attorney General's office, which oversees FOIA compliance.

Saline County Criminal Court Records

Criminal matters in Saline County are divided between the Circuit Court and the District Court based on the severity of the offense. The Circuit Court handles all felony prosecutions, while the District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases and conducts preliminary hearings in felony matters. Criminal case files typically contain the charging document (information or indictment), motions, plea agreements, trial transcripts, sentencing orders, and disposition records.

Circuit Court Criminal Division

All four divisions of the Saline County Circuit Court hear criminal cases at the courthouse in Benton:

Division	Judge	Address	Phone
First Division	Hon. Ken Casady	200 N. Main St., Room 110, Benton, AR 72015	(501) 303-5635
Second Division	Hon. Josh Farmer	200 N. Main St., Room 105, Benton, AR 72015	(501) 303-5664
Third Division	Hon. Brent Houston	200 N. Main St., Room 204, Benton, AR 72015	(501) 303-5628
Fourth Division	Hon. Robert Herzfeld	321 N. Main St., Benton, AR 72015	(501) 303-1584

District Court Criminal Division

Misdemeanor and preliminary felony matters are heard in two departments:

Benton Department — Hon. Clay Ford
Address: 1605 Edison Avenue, Benton, AR 72015
Phone: (501) 303-5670 | Fax: (501) 303-5696
Bryant Department — Hon. Stephanie Casady
Address: 208 S.W. Third Street, Bryant, AR 72022
Phone: (501) 943-0440 | Fax: (501) 943-0854

Searching criminal records. Docket information for cases in both courts can be queried through Search ARCourts. The Saline County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate roster for individuals booked into the county detention facility. The Sheriff's Office is located at 735 South Neeley Street, Benton, AR 72015, and can be reached at (501) 303-5648 (non-emergency) or (501) 303-5642 (detention center). Statewide incarceration records are searchable through the Arkansas Department of Correction inmate search.

State criminal background checks. The Arkansas State Police Online Criminal Background Check System offers name-based Arkansas criminal history searches for $22.00 per request ($11.00 for volunteers). National/FBI fingerprint-based checks cost $13.00 ($11.00 for volunteers). Mail-in requests cost $25.00 each. Access requires a Tyler Arkansas online account and the written consent of the record subject.

Key filing fees — criminal matters (Circuit Court):

New criminal filing: $165.00 (Ark. Code Ann. 21-6-403(b)(1))
District appeal (criminal): $150.00
Petition to seal: no charge (effective July 24, 2019)
Summons/subpoena: $2.50 per person (Ark. Code Ann. 21-6-402)

Saline County Civil Court Records

Civil litigation in Saline County is split by the amount in controversy. The Circuit Court holds general civil jurisdiction, while the District Court handles civil disputes involving claims under $25,000. The Bryant Department of the District Court also operates a small claims division where parties may represent themselves without attorneys.

Civil court files generally contain the complaint or petition, answers, discovery materials, motions, court orders, settlement agreements, jury verdicts, and final judgments. The Circuit Clerk maintains all Circuit Court civil records; District Court civil records are kept by the respective District Court Clerk's office.

How to request civil court records:

Identify the court that heard the case — Circuit Court for higher-value claims, or District Court for claims under $25,000 and small claims.
Gather identifying details: the case number, names of the parties, or the approximate filing date.
Search online through Search ARCourts, visit the clerk's office in person, or submit a written request by mail.
Pay applicable fees: $0.25 per page for copies, $5.00 per document for certification, and $5.00 for a name-based record search.

Circuit Court civil filing fees:

New civil filing (including domestic relations, appeals, and foreign judgments from out of state): $165.00
Reopening a case: $50.00 (Ark. Code Ann. 21-6-403(b)(2))
Transfer: $50.00
Foreign judgments (in-state): $15.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Writs: $20.00

The Circuit Clerk's Office accepts cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards. Credit-card payments carry an added processing fee.

Self-represented litigants can download standardized court forms for civil filings from the Arkansas Judiciary website. Cover sheets are required when opening a new civil case, and electronic filing is governed by Administrative Order No. 21.

Property and land records. Because the Circuit Clerk also serves as the ex-officio county recorder, real-estate documents — deeds, mortgages, liens, and surety bonds — are recorded and searchable through the same office. Online access is available via the AVA portal at no charge for browsing, or through the Laredo subscription service. For bulk-data requests, contact the Chief Deputy at ragan.kyzer@salinecounty.org or the Circuit Clerk at myka.sample@salinecounty.org.

Saline County Family Court Records

Family law matters in Saline County — including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence protective orders, guardianship, and adoption — are heard in the domestic relations division of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Clerk files and maintains all records arising from these proceedings.

Searching family court records. Case docket information is available through Search ARCourts. In-person requests can be made at the Circuit Clerk's Office (200 N. Main Street, Suite 113, Benton, AR 72015). The standard copy fee of $0.25 per page and the $5.00 certification fee apply. A new domestic relations filing costs $165.00 under the same fee schedule that applies to other Circuit Court filings.

Confidentiality restrictions on family records. While most domestic relations case files are public, several categories carry statutory access limitations:

Adoption records are sealed and confidential under Arkansas Code 9-9-217. They may be opened only by court order upon a showing of good cause.
Juvenile proceedings are confidential under Arkansas Code 9-27-309. The court must expunge juvenile records upon the individual's twenty-first birthday, with limited exceptions.
Domestic violence protective order case files may contain sealed victim-safety information.
Guardianship records involving minors may be partially restricted when disclosure could compromise the minor's welfare.

Anyone who needs access to a sealed or restricted family court record must petition the court and demonstrate a legitimate interest or good cause.

Self-help forms. The Arkansas Judiciary maintains a library of domestic relations court forms, including cover sheets, financial affidavits, and disposition forms, available for free download.

Marriage licenses. The Saline County Clerk's Office — separate from the Circuit Clerk — issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records.

Cost: $60.00
Additional certified copies: $5.00 each
Both parties must appear in person with valid, U.S.-issued government photo ID
A license is valid for 60 days from issuance and must be returned to the Clerk's Office whether used or unused
If either party is 17 years old, both parents (or the custodial parent with the latest custody order) must be present, and a five-business-day waiting period applies

Saline County Clerk's Office (Marriage & Probate)
Address: 215 N. Main Street, Suite 9, Benton, AR 72015
Phone: (501) 303-5630
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (arrive by 4:15 p.m.)

Marriage license records can be searched online through the Saline County Marriage License Search database.

Vital records. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Health, Vital Records Section, located at 4815 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205. Birth records cost $12.00 for the first copy and $10.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Marriage record copies from the state cost $10.00 each. Birth certificates are restricted to the individual named, their parents, or a legal representative, per Arkansas Code Annotated 20-18-305. Death records for recently deceased individuals are similarly restricted to authorized next of kin, legal representatives, or persons with a valid court order.

Saline County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Saline County — including the administration of decedents' estates, will contests, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, trust disputes, and mental health commitments — are filed through the Saline County Clerk's Probate Division. The County Clerk serves as clerk of the probate court, and the probate docket is heard by the county judge.

Filing fees and costs:

Probate filing: $165.00
Small estate affidavit: $25.00
Certified copies: $5.00 per document
Notary fee: $5.00 (government-issued photo ID required)
Accepted payment: cash, local checks (Saline County address and bank), or credit/debit card ($3.00 processing fee for card payments)

Fees must be paid at the time the case is opened. Out-of-town checks are not accepted. A cover sheet is required for every new probate or small estate filing; the Clerk's Office cannot provide legal advice or help complete legal forms.

Probate forms. The County Clerk provides downloadable forms on its website, including the Probate Cover Sheet (and its instructions) and the Affidavit for Collection of Small Estate. Additional probate forms are available through the Arkansas Judiciary's probate forms library.

Searching probate records. Probate case documents can be searched online through the Saline Courts Document Search portal. Statewide docket information is also available via Search ARCourts. In-person requests may be directed to the County Clerk's Office at 215 N. Main Street, Suite 9, Benton, AR 72015, Phone: (501) 303-5630, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; new cases should arrive by 4:00 p.m.).

Steps to request a probate record:

Determine whether the record relates to an estate, guardianship, conservatorship, or trust proceeding.
Gather available identifying information — the decedent's or ward's name, the case number, or the approximate filing year.
Search the Saline Courts Document Search portal or visit the County Clerk's Office.
Request copies at $0.25 per page or certified copies at $5.00 per document.
For older or more detailed records not available online, submit a written request with the applicable fees to the County Clerk by mail.

Probate records are generally public, but guardianship files involving minors or incapacitated adults may contain medical or financial information subject to limited access under HIPAA or by court protective order. Anyone who needs sealed probate documents should file a motion with the court explaining the basis for access.